South Africa suffered a torrid time with the bat despite a late fightback after they were restricted to a total of just 145-5 against Australia in their must win Super Eights clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Having been put into bat the Proteas were soon on the back foot thanks to Xavier Doherty (3-20) who picked up two early wickets to leave South Africa 8-2 after Richard Levi (0) and Jacques Kallis (6) were both dismissed inside the first 3 overs.

JP Duminy (30) and AB de Villiers (21) offered some resistant’s but whenever a partnership looked settled Australia struck to leave the South Africans having to build again with a new batsman at the crease.

The impressive Shane Watson (2-29) picked up another two wickets before a much needed partnership of 60 between Robin Peterson (32) and Farhaan Behardien (31) during the closing stages of the innings gave South Africa fresh hope.

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